Sonoma County’s Siduri Bought by Jackson Family Wines

The company boosts its portfolio with the acquisition of the top Pinot Noir producer.

By Virginie Boone

On Thursday, January 29, 2015, Jackson Family Wines, one of the largest winemaking entities in the world, announced its purchase of husband-and-wife operation Siduri, a longtime specialist of single-vineyard Pinot Noir in Santa Rosa, California.

The sale price was not disclosed, but under the deal, Siduri owner Adam Lee will stay on as winemaker for a minimum of three years. With no vineyards to speak of at Siduri, Jackson’s acquisition was not driven by the company’s focus on increasing land holdings.

“We are really pleased to welcome Adam Lee and the Siduri family to Jackson Family Wines. [The purchase] supports the Jackson family’s position as a leader in the premium and luxury Pinot Noir category, and Siduri complements our team with an additional winemaking style and profile,” said Jackson Family Wines Senior Vice President, Jason Hunke. “We both already produce from some of the best Pinot regions in California and Oregon, and we’re excited to introduce Adam to some of our terrific estate vineyards as well.”

Lee and wife, Dianna Novy Lee, started Siduri in 1994, working tirelessly for two decades to craft bold, lush vineyard-designated Pinot Noirs from California’s best vineyards. In Sonoma County, Siduri designates include Bucher, Hirsch, Keefer Ranch, Van der Kamp, among others. Along the Central Coast, the Lees have long worked with Cargasacchi, Clos Pepe, Pisoni and Garys. In Oregon, Siduri’s Pinot grapes have come from the Chehalem Mountains within the Willamette Valley, where last year Jackson Family Wines bought two vineyards.

The sale also includes the Lees’ side project, Novy, which focuses on varieties outside of Pinot Noir, such as Syrah and Zinfandel, and a red and white blend. In both cases, the brands have always offered relative value and accessibility, their wines distinctly of place. In all, total production for both Siduri and Novy is upwards of 25,000 cases a year.

According to the Lees, the partnership will allow them to focus more their children while Jackson Family Wines becomes responsible for the company’s business and sales departments.

“I don’t know too many people who follow their heart and move to Northern California to be a winery owner,” says Lee. “This gives me a chance to really concentrate on making wine, and Dianna time to spend with the seemingly ever-growing demands of three kids.”

Reviews wines from California.

Contributing Editor Virginie Boone has been with Wine Enthusiast since 2010, and reviews the wines of Napa and Sonoma. Boone began her writing career with Lonely Planet travel guides, which eventually led to California-focused wine coverage. She contributes to the Santa Rosa Press Democrat and Sonoma Magazine, and is a regular panelist and speaker on wine topics in California and beyond.
Email: vboone@wineenthusiast.net.

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